What Do Chinchillas Eat? Complete Diet Guide [2026]

Diet Overview

Chinchillas are hindgut fermenters with a specialized digestive system adapted to the sparse, fibrous vegetation of the Andes. In captivity, replicating this high-fiber, low-fat, low-sugar diet is critical. A poor diet is a leading cause of dental disease, GI stasis, and obesity — getting nutrition right adds years to your chinchilla's lifespan.

Timothy Hay (80%+ of Diet)

Timothy hay is the most important dietary component, providing essential fiber for gut motility, dental wear (teeth grow 2-3 inches/year), and mental enrichment through foraging.

Hay Types

Choose hay that is green, sweet-smelling, dry, dust-free, and stored away from sunlight.

Pellets

High-quality pellets supplement vitamins and minerals. Offer 1-2 tablespoons per day of plain, timothy-based pellets (no mixes with seeds or dried fruit).

Recommended brands: Oxbow Essentials Chinchilla Food, Mazuri Chinchilla Diet, Science Selective Chinchilla.

Safe Treats

Treats should total no more than 5% of the diet and be used for bonding and enrichment.

Foods to Avoid

• Fresh fruits — too high in sugar; causes bloating and diabetes
• Fresh vegetables — excess moisture disrupts GI balance
• Nuts and seeds — too high in fat; causes fatty liver disease
• Chocolate — toxic
• Corn — indigestible, choking hazard
• Bread/crackers — starchy, expands in gut
• Yogurt drops — contain dairy and sugar despite being marketed for chinchillas
• Raisins and dried fruit — concentrated sugar

Water

Fresh water must be available at all times via a glass water bottle with a stainless steel sipper tube. Change daily, clean weekly, and monitor intake (healthy chinchillas drink 15-25 ml/day).

Cecotrophy

Chinchillas produce two types of droppings: regular fecal pellets and cecotropes — softer, nutrient-rich pellets eaten directly from the anus. This is a normal, essential behavior providing B vitamins, vitamin K, and beneficial bacteria. Do not interrupt it. Uneaten cecotropes in the cage may indicate a diet that is too rich.

Feeding Schedule

Signs of Dietary Problems

• Soft or clumped droppings — too many treats or sudden diet change
• Very small droppings — dehydration or insufficient hay
• Drooling/wet chin — dental malocclusion from inadequate hay
• Bloated abdomen — gas from inappropriate foods (vet emergency)

Related Guides

• Chinchilla Care Guide — complete care overview
• Chinchilla Cage Setup — hay rack and feeder placement
• Chinchilla Lifespan Guide — how diet affects longevity